Dermatologist's recommendations for the best practices to prevent getting herpes and other skin infections from makeup. Keep your cosmetics and cosmetic brushes to yourself, just like you probably don't share your toothbrush.
Allergic Reactions: Sharing makeup can expose you to allergens that you may not be sensitive to, leading to skin irritation, redness, or even more severe allergic reactions. Avoid sharing makeup whenever possible. If you must share, limit it to products that are easy to sanitize, like lipstick.
We often show our love by sharing makeup and skincare products, but this is one habit you must ditch immediately. This can lead to serious skin issues and infections due to the transfer of bacteria and contaminants.
DON'T: Do not give anyone anything that touched your eye or mouth, especially if the product has a foot applicator. Ex: Liquid lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, concealer or lip gloss with a doe foot applicator. Avoid giving people products in a jar, especially if it's skin care.
However, “any type of face powder” including powder foundation or blush, are among the least likely to transmit harmful bacteria according to Levy.
Avoid sharing: Refrain from sharing makeup products, especially those that come into direct contact with the eyes, lips, or mucous membranes. This includes mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm.
If you do share makeup or keep it for longer than recommended, you may develop a skin or eye infection. Other diseases associated with sharing makeup include the herpes virus, which causes cold sores, and dermatitis. Keeping your makeup fresh and your skin clean can help you avoid illness.
It depends on the type of bacteria, and the type of makeup, and whether or not the makeup has preservatives. If the bacteria run out of food, they'll probably be viable anywhere from a couple hours to a few weeks. If the makeup IS the food, they can potentially stay there indefinitely, if it is damp enough.
Some types of makeup frequently used in the United States and other parts of the world contain toxic chemicals, such as lead, phthalates, mercury, and formaldehyde. These chemicals are known to be connected to personal health harms, such as neurological issues, reproductive system damage, and cancer.
Donate Them
Not all charity organizations and homeless shelters will accept used beauty lotions and potions, so we recommend calling first to see if your local center will accept gently used products. Something that has never been opened should be fine, as long as the packaging is intact.
Not only can it be unhygienic, but using skincare products that aren't yours might negatively affect your skin, so it's best to try and limit sharing and curate a personalized routine.”
Acne isn't contagious, but when you share makeup, makeup brushes, or applicators, the acne-causing bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells on other people's skin can wind up in your makeup. When you use that makeup, you can transfer their bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells to your skin.
Lip product sharing is another no-go. Whether it's a tube of lipstick or lip-gloss, you're running into a sticky issue – and that's bacteria. It's best to use your own products.
Seeing your children in makeup can cause mixed emotions: it signals a transitional growing-up period you may not feel ready for. Choosing an appropriate age is up to you, but a 2019 YouGov study suggests that most parents believe that children should be allowed to wear makeup between 14 and 16.
Accelerating the Ageing Process
When makeup is not removed, these free radicals remain on your skin, breaking down collagen and elastin – the proteins that keep your skin firm and elastic. Over time, this can lead to premature ageing, including the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
In low-quality cosmetics, frequency of microbial growth is higher and more diverse than high-quality cosmetics. It has been observed the most contaminated product was in lip gloss and it follows by the lipstick.
The rule of thumb for mascara is that it needs to be replaced every two to three months, starting from when you open the mascara. If you're storing unopened mascara, it will remain stable for a couple of years, so no need to worry about your makeup stockpile.
However, simply spray 70% isopropyl alcohol over every single one of your powder products (e.g. eyeshadow palettes, face powders, blushers, bronzers, etc) and ensure you thoroughly saturate. Finally, leave to evaporate and dry! We promise, they'll be OK! But this will get rid of any nasties!
We all have mites. But you don't want anyone else's mites in your eyes. You also could get eye infection, styes, warts, conjunctivitis. Sharing is not caring when it comes to mascara.
Protect yourself from infection-causing germs
Thoroughly wash and dry your hands with a clean towel before applying skincare products and makeup. Never share makeup, particularly mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow. Wash your makeup brushes and sponges weekly, or purchase disposable applicators.
"Depending on the bacteria or virus and depending on the type of product and its ingredients, beauty products can remain contaminated from a range of a few hours or days to much longer," said Dr. David Lortscher, a board-certified dermatologist and the CEO and founder of Curology.